Glenbard West is best at East; Red Devils have fun, drop Dukes at York

Hinsdale Central's Carter Lyons delivers one of his 10 kills against York Saturday in Elmhurst. (Phiotos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comGlenbard West is ready for all challengers.The top-ranked Hilltoppers showed that by handing Indiana's top-ranked team, Roncalli (Indianapolis, Indiana) its first loss of the season, 25-23, 25-23, Saturday in the title match of the 30th Annual Lincoln-Way East Invitational.It was the 22nd straight victory for Glenbard West (23-1). Roncalli (26-1), which was the Indiana state runner-...

Illprepvb.com presents 70 heavenly players in the freshman Class of 2026

Montini's 5-11 freshman middle hitter Francesca Lorenzo is part of a young lineup that could challenge for another Class 2A championship this fall. On the home page is St. Charles North's outside hitter Haley Burgdorf, one of the leading attackers in the Class of 2026. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Today, we complete our look at some of the top players in Illinois by listing (alphabetically) players in the Class of 2026.The list features players who are making an impact on their high school varsity teams this fall – either in the starting r...

Glenbard West wins York summer league, but there's more to summer than that

Joliet West had a busy but productive summer, winning the summer league at UNO Volleyball Cub and a tournament hosted by Joliet Junior College. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSummertime, and the livin’ is easy … if you happen to be a spectator.Girls who only a few weeks ago turned in their club jerseys have been immersed in an endless series of high school summer camps, summer leagues, college camps, skill camps, college visits, family vacations, etc., etc. etc.Wednesday in Elmhurst, the schedule became slightly less frantic for the e...

MVP Ellie White, Mother McAuley claim ASICS Challenge championship

Kate Goudreau (3) and St. Charles East defeated Nazareth, 25-16, 25-16, to win the Silver bracket at the ASICS Challenge hosted by Mother McAuley on Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor“Just remember, stick to the plan,” said the Oz the Great and Powerful to Finley the monkey.“But the plan is you,” Finley replied.Whatever the plan was Saturday, Mother McAuley stuck to it. The result was the Mighty Macs’ sixth ASICS Challenge championship, and their first since the national championship team won it back in ...

Bolingbrook hopes to steal page from Andrew; North survives Naperville fray

Paige Lauterwasser, shown here during a match from last fall, powered Naperville North past rival Naperville Central in a DuPage Valley showdown Tuesday at North. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) At BolingbrookIt's a new season, but a match from last year couldn't help but be on the minds of Andrew and Bolingbrook players when the two teams met in a Southwest Suburban Conference battle Tuesday in Bolingbrook.After all, it was a rematch of last season's sectional final.This time, it was the host Raiders who showed they are a team to be reckoned ...

Illinois high school boys volleyball is back … and OMG they’re on fire!

Glenbard West's 6-5 Liam O'Neill (14) and the Hilltoppers will try to defend their 2022 IHSA championship this spring. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe boys are back, so here is a look at some of the teams that will be punishing the floors throughout Illinois gymnasiums this spring while they compete for local, conference and tournament bragging rights and perhaps a little IHSA tournament glory in 2023 (in alphabetical order):Andrew (11-25)Sean Burns takes over as head coach for Troy Hari, whose final team re...

No. 2 Metamora upends No. 1 Normal U-High en route to Saints Fall Classic title

University of Illinois recruit Lily Barry of Normal University High went on the attack against Williamsville in the Gold Division third-place match of the Bloomington Central Catholic Saints Fall Classic in Bloomington on Saturday. Blocking for Williamsville were Brooklyn Holdener (1) and Nina Ledgerwood (4). (Photos by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepb.comBLOOMINGTON – Scoring efficiently paid off for Metamora as it used power and precision during a five-match, 10-hour span to win the 16-team Bloomington Central Catho...

It's all in the genes for Wyszynski, Tiger Classic champion Glenbrook North

Lincoln-Way West's Logan Clarida (20) tries to drive the ball past Glenbrook North's Paul Wyszynski (10) and Grant Kosla (16) during Saturday's championship match of the Tiger Classic at Wheaton Warrenville South. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSomewhere, Grego Mendel, the father of modern genetics, is smiling. “It’s a funny story,” said Glenbrook North’s 5-8 Paul Wyszynski. “I got my vertical to 39 inches with only genetics. I eventually got it up to 43, 44 inches, and then I started working out and I haven...

Oswego's Allen gets in Downers North's way; New Trier, Lockport move on

New Trier rallied after dropping the first set to defeat Maine South, 19-25, 25-19, 25-22, for the regional title at Maine South. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comLindenwood recruit Ian Schuller has come through hundreds of times for Downers Grove North this season.He’s as reliable a hitter as you will find at the high school level.But even a mailman would have trouble delivering if Oswego’s Reshawn Allen was standing in the way.Allen has recorded 101 blocks this season, an astounding amount for any player, especially one his size. Th...

Marist is right back where they (almost) started from in Michio/Illprepvb rankings

Can Sandburg spring some upsets in the IHSA tournament like it did by beating Lyons for fifth place at Richards? (Photo by Dave Ruggles) In the immortal words of The Great One, “And away we go.” The IHSA tournament kicks off Monday at 32 regional sites across Illinois. Leading the hopefuls is Marist, which returns to the No. 1 ranking after a three-week absence following its victory over Glenbard West on May 12.Unlike most regular-season tournaments that afford the better teams a greater opportunity to meet further down the bracket t...